NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim today reminded fans in advance of the running of the William Hill Haskell Invitational on Sunday that while the Agency is prepared to provide additional service to support their trip to Monmouth Park in Oceanport – this will not be a typical weekend travel experience.

“We are pleased to be able to support this historic race this weekend by ensuring that our customers reach and depart Monmouth Park in a safe and orderly fashion,” Executive Director Hakim said. “That said, travelers must be aware that while extra service is being provided, wait times to board trains are expected to be extensive given the anticipated crowds, similar to motorists who will be sitting in traffic following the race.”

Executive Director Hakim said that every effort would be made to minimize delays but cautioned that given the physical limitations of the station and its surrounding environment that fans will need to be patient and remain orderly.

“The success of this event will not only depend on our team from NJ TRANSIT, but also requires the cooperation of all fans seeking to use our system,” Executive Director Hakim said. “While our staff is prepared to expedite arrivals and departures as quickly as possible, it is imperative that those taking NJ TRANSIT carefully follow the directions of staff who are there to ensure the safety and security of our customers.

NJ TRANSIT has enhanced the North Jersey Coast Line weekend service by ensuring that all regularly scheduled trains on Sunday will now stop at Monmouth Park Station.

Also, four extra trains will be heading eastbound to Newark and one additional train westbound to Bay Head following the race. These trains will be “load and go’ and will not follow a set, timed schedule. They will be brought into the station right behind the regularly scheduled trains until the platform crowds ease.

Again, despite the expanded service, fans taking the train following the race can expect longer than average wait times.

NJ TRANSIT has also made temporary platform improvements, established a secure queuing area, assigned Customer Service Ambassadors to the event and made other accommodations in an effort to provide an optimal experience for fans.

Transit Travel Tips and Reminders for the Haskell Invitational:

Purchase your round trip tickets in advance;

Monmouth Park Station is not ADA accessible;

Give yourself plenty of time getting to and from the station;

No open containers of alcohol will be permitted on the trains;

Be prepared to experience longer than average wait times to board trains and to depart the area via car.

The additional trains after the race will only travel as far as Newark Penn Station where customers can transfer to other NJT trains to New York or PATH.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 915,900 weekday trips on 260 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.